Well I havn't had much input lately mainly because I havn't been anywhere but next week Im catching the xpt to berry my first time on it in 9 years it will at least be a bit different to the usual hume Freeway scenery. I have to get my chef hat back on and give my daughter a hand in the motel she is managing but every time I see a caravan go by the door ( its right on the highway) I will wonder where they are going and wish I was too I am waiting for March to come before we go off on an extended trip in the camper again. And as for the dogs in national parks it stopped us from visiting a lot of places around Australia where the very spoilt Ebony could not go im glad she did not feel outcast and was none the wiser to this rule. Im not sure if it is still done but aboriginals were given an allowance for having dogs by the government as part of family allowance that was 10years ago. So great travelling everyone and if you go past the motel in Berry give a toot I will know you are a nomad I will be back home for australia day weekend and looking forward to our March escape. I hope the train runs on time it doesn't usually. Chezgo
Basil Faulty said
05:25 PM Jan 2, 2009
Ahhhh the Illawarra Express, or maybe the Southcoast Daylight Express. Brings back memories, we used to go to Werri Beach for Hols and alight at Omega RS long since removed, then Dad moved to Nowra and although romantics like me don't travel much by train these days (theres no huff & Puff or hiss of steam) I still enjoy the trip, streaking at 25 km/h through towns like Jaspers brush & Toolijooa. Some of the coastal scenery is quite spectacular especially on the escarpment up through Scarborough and Coalcliffe and around the cliffs at Kiama. Amazingliy the NP&WS have not made them put blackout curtians on the train to prevent people getting a glimpse into National Park without paying the fee. No dining car these days either so don't expect any "Brown Windsor Soup" just premade everything....... So what Motel, give it a plug! Sybil has yet another elderly Aunt encarcerated at an Aged Care facility in Berry..... Actually a very nice part of Australia....
-- Edited by Basil Faulty at 16:28, 2009-01-02
chezgo said
04:27 PM Jan 3, 2009
ok Basil will give it a plug its the Berry Boutique Motel its a little pricey but the service is excellent I think the price is due to the location smack bang in the middle of great little shops and restaurants. And yes I cant wait to get on the train on friday a change of scenery for the trip up there will be great. And will be spending some free time at the beautiful beaches around there and up to Kiama. My parents live on a farm out of Berry up Wotamola Mountain road and my brother is near Kiama so lots of good scenery to see again. chezgo
dave06 said
04:36 PM Jan 3, 2009
sounds like a good trip with a bit of quality time at the end of it cheryl, hope you enjoy the time, the trip and the change!!
Pam said
08:03 PM Jan 3, 2009
My dad used to do a lorry run up a mountain at Berry. Before my time though.
chezgo said
01:26 PM Jan 5, 2009
Thanks Dave Im sure I will enjoy it and Pam your dad must have had some hairy trips around the bends up there. The road up Wotamola is thin and a many 15k or 25k corners and the road from berry not much better. Although you do get to go through the beautiful Kangaroo Valley no matter which road you take and its always worth a pit stop.
Basil Faulty said
02:37 PM Jan 5, 2009
chezgo wrote:
Thanks Dave Im sure I will enjoy it and Pam your dad must have had some hairy trips around the bends up there. The road up Wotamola is thin and a many 15k or 25k corners and the road from berry not much better. Although you do get to go through the beautiful Kangaroo Valley no matter which road you take and its always worth a pit stop.
Yes KV is a nice spot but like all these places ie Tilba, Berrima et al is becoming a little touristy.... The Hampden Suspension Bridge is always worth a picture though and the pie shop further along towards Fitzroy falls is an interesting diversion..... Towing a caravan through this part of the country is always an interesting exercise, even the main road has some "advanced" hairpin bends....
chezgo said
03:52 PM Jan 5, 2009
Yes Basil I agree the bridge is great for a photo and i love Fitzroy Falls. Every time I drive past that pie shop in KV I keep meaning to stop but havnt done so yet. The sign does say the best pies in Australia and its always busy I must put it on my agenda.
Pam said
10:32 AM Jan 6, 2009
What about Parkers Pies in Rutherglen.
They make yummy pies.
dave06 said
10:48 AM Jan 6, 2009
nup you're all wrong, best pies and pasties to be had are in the centre of tassie, I forget just which town it was campbelltown? maybe, they have a big courtyard at the rear under some big old trees,
they've got the bottomless cup of coffee there as well but the dragon wont let me near that
just a quick query cheryl, all through that area is abolutely amazingly beatifull, why do you keep coming back to the desert country
-- Edited by dave06 at 09:56, 2009-01-06
Gary and Kerry said
10:58 AM Jan 6, 2009
Best cornish pasties are at Balhanna SA. Ol Grizz's local stomping ground, talking of him ,haven't seen him on here for awhile, must be out and about enjoying his new motor home
dave06 said
11:10 AM Jan 6, 2009
havent tried the cornish ones at balhanna but the ones at the end bakery at moonta are pretty good but getting a bit small and thin now
I really hope grizz is out having a ball!!
chezgo said
04:12 PM Jan 6, 2009
Dave I dont consider the eyre as the desert i love its rugged natural beauty and the ocean once you get over between Lincoln and streaky is the most pristine water you will ever see. And Pam yes Parkers Pies are always winning awards and they are hard to live up to thats probably why I havn't tried the Kangaroo Valley ones but I will now so I have something to compare
Basil Faulty said
05:01 PM Jan 7, 2009
chezgo wrote:
Yes Basil I agree the bridge is great for a photo and i love Fitzroy Falls. Every time I drive past that pie shop in KV I keep meaning to stop but havnt done so yet. The sign does say the best pies in Australia and its always busy I must put it on my agenda.
Yes I think it's at Barrengary.... Nice pies and heaps of er ahhhh "atmosphere"
Basil Faulty said
05:03 PM Jan 7, 2009
Best Cornish Pasties are at the "tea Rooms" in Burra.... Even made by a lass with a "west Country" accent....
So what Motel, give it a plug! Sybil has yet another elderly Aunt encarcerated at an Aged Care facility in Berry..... Actually a very nice part of Australia....
-- Edited by Basil Faulty at 16:28, 2009-01-02
ok Basil will give it a plug its the Berry Boutique Motel its a little pricey but the service is excellent I think the price is due to the location smack bang in the middle of great little shops and restaurants. And yes I cant wait to get on the train on friday a change of scenery for the trip up there will be great. And will be spending some free time at the beautiful beaches around there and up to Kiama. My parents live on a farm out of Berry up Wotamola Mountain road and my brother is near Kiama so lots of good scenery to see again. chezgo
Towing a caravan through this part of the country is always an interesting exercise, even the main road has some "advanced" hairpin bends....
they've got the bottomless cup of coffee there as well but the dragon wont let me near that
just a quick query cheryl, all through that area is abolutely amazingly beatifull, why do you keep coming back to the desert country
-- Edited by dave06 at 09:56, 2009-01-06
Ol Grizz's local stomping ground, talking of him ,haven't seen him on here for awhile, must be out and about enjoying his new motor home